Program Associate

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.

Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Summer Search Seattle is seeking a Program Associate to manage a caseload of approximately 36 high school students, building long-term relationships and providing regular mentoring through a combination of groups and individual conversations from sophomore year through senior year of high school. Joining a supportive program team that currently serves over 300 high school students, this hire will have the opportunity to practice Summer Search’s unique approach to mentoring, prepare students for two challenging summer experiences, support post-secondary readiness and matriculation, and join a team that is committed to learning, social and racial equity, and the students we serve.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Specifically, the Program Associate will advance Summer Search’s mission through the following job responsibilities:

Student Mentoring and Program Facilitation (60%)

1:1 Mentoring

• Mentor a caseload of approximately 36-44 high school students, building relationships and conducting regular mentoring at school, in our office, at their school site, or by phone.
• Utilize a unique mentoring methodology based upon adolescent social-emotional development, cultural relevance, and critical consciousness. Enable conversations that allow students to reflect upon the impact of identities and social/cultural context on their lives.
• Hold students accountable to year-round program participation, as well as demonstrating a personal commitment to students that results in a high level of engagement throughout their Summer Search experience.
• Monitor and promote students’ academic and extracurricular participation and performance, as well as post-secondary readiness requirements.
• Communicate with students’ families, especially regarding details about summer experiences and career opportunities.

Group Mentoring

• Before each session, prepare by reviewing group mentoring curriculum, gathering materials and sending student reminders.
• Create a safe community where students can be honest with each other by ensuring each student has the space to be heard and challenged respectfully and setting-up physical space that is conducive to achieving the objectives of each session.
• Recognize a student safety situation and how to respond and care for both the individual student and the group.
• Observe and respond to group needs and adapt facilitation style accordingly.

Program Design and Delivery (25%)

• With School and Community Engagement staff’s guidance, lead outreach presentations and application workshops for prospective students, and provide 1:1 follow up as needed.
• With School and Community Engagement staff, establish and nurture relationships with staff partners at your partner high school(s).
• With School and Community Engagement staff, engage school partners proactively in supporting students and coordinating logistics.
• Know the resources and people available at your partner high school(s) and how these resources intersect with Summer Search.
• Perform duties that support student engagement in program elements, including summer experience and post-secondary workshops and preparation.
• Provide curriculum feedback to inform iterative curriculum development.
• Participate in regular meetings with direct supervisor and fellow mentors to share experiences, problem-solve collaboratively, support and learn and build self-awareness of own mentoring.
• Respond promptly and thoughtfully to requests from school partners.

Data and Evaluation (15%)

• Enter and track program data accurately and daily in Salesforce database to assess student progress and drive organizational learning, to ensure high levels of program quality.
• Participate in elements of an evaluation plan designed to assess program quality, fidelity and outcomes and to inform individual staff development and continuous improvement of program model (e.g., complete feedback surveys after mentoring sessions)

WHO YOU ARE

Program Associates exemplify curiosity, empathy, teamwork, flexibility, critical consciousness, and a commitment to learning. Specifically, strong candidates will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: At least 2 years of professional experience working with student populations served by Summer Search (e.g. low-income families, students of color, LGBTQIA+, English Language Learners, and diverse religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds). Group facilitation experience strongly desired. Academic or applied knowledge of adolescent development and/or training in restorative/transformative justice work is a plus.
• DEPTH MENTORING: You understand and create an environment where all people feel safe enough to explore, discuss, question, and reflect on past, current or future experiences in one-on-one or large group discussions.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: You hold yourself and others responsible for processes, decisions, actions, and commitments to results to drive high quality outcomes. You're responsive to the needs of stakeholders and follow through on commitments.
• TEAMWORK: You value many voices, are comfortable creating space for dialogue and handle interpersonal issues constructively. You inspire and foster commitment, connection, enthusiasm, and trust and motivate others to achieve common goals.
• CRITICAL CONCIOUSNESS You understand the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and act toward liberatory and inclusive practices.
• TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Proficiency in meticulous data tracking and management; experience using Salesforce or a similar database is a plus.
• LANGUAGE SKILLS: Spanish language skills are a plus.

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

WORK HOURS & LOCATION

Work hours are Mon-Fri 10am-6pm with occasional weekend and evening special events. This is a hybrid role with at least two days a week working in person at our office in King County required and up to three days a week of remote work. In-person work requirements are subject to change due to needs of the site or position.

This hire must be able to be in-person for group mentoring and outreach presentations. Therefore, this hire must be able to travel to partner high schools, and convenings in King County up to four times a month (with additional travel in fall outreach season as needed). Therefore, reliable transportation to travel to the office and schools in the South King County region is required.

This is a non-exempt position with a starting pay rate of per hour $26.06-$28.14 per hour equivalent to $50,810-$54,871 annually. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.

Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:

• Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
• Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
• 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure). Plus, Refresh Friday’s - a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
• A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
• A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
• Individual, local, regional and national training.
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
• An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and equity, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization that values critical consciousness in order to impact how we work with participants, as well as how we work together as a team. Summer Search fosters an inclusive work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.